The year that upmarket Bea shelved the ‘quirky’ headgear and became the Princess of Style

Princess Beatrice is ending 2023 as something of a fashion icon, particularly since overhauling her wardrobe with the help of stylist Olivia Buckingham.

Beatrice has refined her look over the past 12 months adding some stylish new season pieces, together with recycling her faithful accessories and wardrobe essentials.

An important part of this gradual transformation is that, after experimenting with different styles, silhouettes and brands in the past, Beatrice has now found a theme – and a new confidence with upmarket fashion brands. 

Cue It-girl labels such as Self Portrait, Beulah and The Vampire’s Wife are taking centre stage alongside international labels Reem Acra, based in New York, and Monique Lhuillier on the West Coast.

This move towards high fashion marked a notable shift in the royal’s style, shelving the quirky headpieces and colours for a more streamlined touch.

Here we take a look at the stylish royal’s new wardrobe additions which have been behind her noteworthy style moments of 2023.

Westminster Abbey Carol Service

Princess Beatrice stepped out in a Christmassy ensemble fit for Together at Christmas, Westminster carol concert hosted by the Princess of Wales. 

Putting a unique spin on festive fashion, Beatrice looked elegant in a bold tartan midi-length dress by Beulah London. Although the print is a statement she keeps the outfit chic and understated through the neat dress demure hemline.

She paired the button front dress with an old pair of Zara velvet boots and a recycled Nicco and Lu clutch.

Premiere of James Blunt: One Brit wonder

Beatrice attended the premiere of a fly-on-the wall documentary, James Blunt: One Brit Wonder dressed in tonal blues from Jigsaw. 

The casual separates of a velvet jacket with silk skirt and cashmere sweater perfectly combined textures and layers for a laid-back luxe ensemble. 

An old pair of Zara ankle boots completed the look.

 Monique Lhuillier Boutique Opening

Sequins and sparkles reigned supreme for the royal at the Monique Lhuillier boutique opening in November. Shining in one of the designers’ creations, she chose an embellished midi dress and cape for the occasion, recycling an old pair of Kurt Geiger pumps to accessorise.

 By choosing a rose gold hue and adding a matching capelet, Beatrice shows that seqins can be elegant and don’t have to be reserved for red carpet glamour.

New York

Princess Beatrice stepped out in New York wrapped up in a Burberry cashmere coat which she has been wearing since 2021. 

The royal updated the piece by layering it over a navy satin Zimmermann dress with an asymmetrical hem and added her favourite towering ‘Daphne’ velvet heels from Jimmy Choo.

It was Hollywood glamour for the princess when attending a glitzy event in New York. 

Turning to one of her go-to brands The Vampire’s Wife, the jewel toned metallic frock featured puff-sleeved shoulders and a romantic ruffled skirt.

Art of Wishes Gala

The stylish royal worked the winter lace trend at the Art of Wishes Gala in October dressed in a powder blue Self Portrait midi dress. Choosing the frock from the brand known for it’s cool-girl aesthetic, she once again showed her new direction in style.

Delicate embroidered flowers, a peplum hem and waist cinching ribbon belt gave the look a demure edge, and she slung a white boucle jacket from Alice & Olivia, which was first seen in 2022, over her shoulders, also re-wearing an Anya Hindmarch clutch and Ralph & Russo pumps.

Old War Office Whitehall

Princess Beatrice paired an old Erdem dress which has been in her wardrobe since 2012 with a new Zara tuxedo blazer to inaugurate the glamorous new life of Whitehall’s Old War Office. 

Teamed with her faithful Jimmy Choo ‘Romy’ pumps, she gave a masterclass in upcycling your wardrobe with some high street tailoring.

Vogue World

Beatrice stunned fans with her bold outfit choice as she celebrated Vogue at their glamorous event. 

Dazzling in a floral cape dress by Richard Quinn, she paired her outfit with long-sleeved satin gloves and Paris Texas slingbacks.

Showing how she follows trends in her own demure way, although the frock is a statement, her choice of accessories and hairstyle keep the ensemble pared back and refined. 

Gabrielle Chanel Fashion Manifesto

Princess Beatrice led the pack of impeccably dressed royals for a glittering V&A Chanel exhibition in fall florals. 

The vibrant The Vampire’s Wife ensemble featured a corset-style top with a deep sweetheart neckline and short puff sleeves and a maxi skirt with ruffled trim.

She paired her statement look with a black clutch from Fiona Kotur and matching Jimmy Choo pumps.

St Tropez

Soaking up the sun in St Tropez, Beatrice was pretty in pink florals wearing a Me & Em rose print structured midi dress. 

Complete with a V-neckline and voluminous sleeves, the breezy style was perfect for the French Riviera. 

Polishing off her date night look, Beatrice added her staple ballet pumps by Chanel.

Oswald’s

Stepping out in Mayfair with Edoardo ahead of their third wedding anniversary, the princess mastered one of this summer’s biggest trends, Barbiecore pink.

Opting for a classic fit-and-flare shirtdress from Me & Em, she added a playful twist with a pair of neon pink Stradivarius slingbacks and her personalised Anya Hindmarch tote.

Wimbledon

Beatrice wore this long sleeved Emilia Wickstead for a day at Wimbledon, which featured a fit-and-flare silhouette. 

The royal coordinated her dress, which included a sharp collar and thin belt, with a straw Roger Vivier clutch for a summer-ready touch.

The outfit was event-appropriate yet also displayed her new fashion forward flair with the final flourish of a straw bag. 

Twenty Two Hotel

Stepping out in London for an exclusive dinner at The Twenty Two Hotel, the effortlessly stylish royal slipped into a flirty and frilly silk dress from luxury French designer, Chloe.

Adorned with a vibrant artsy print consisting of boho botanicals and abstract eyes painted in oyster-like shells and featuring ruffled sleeves and a tiered skirt, Beatrice oozed timeless luxury as she donned her Chanel slingback pumps.

Mark’s Club

Princess Beatrice enjoyed a night out at Mark’s private members’ club alongside her husband wearing a metallic pink blouse by The Vampire’s Wife. 

Featuring eighties-inspired puff sleeves, a dramatic collar, and belted waist, it was layered over a black 

Ascot

Princess Beatrice stole the show at Royal Ascot in a bridalwear inspired floral lace gown by Monique Lhuillier. 

The show stopping frock was embroidered with coloured flowers and was accented with a pearl-detail Anya Hindmarch clutch bag, JBH Millinery hat and her favourite nude Gianvito Rossi satin pumps.

It was spring florals for another day at Ascot when the princess opted for an eighties-inspired floral midi dress with puff sleeves and a ruffled collar. 

The Beulah London piece featured a pink rose print which was accentuated with a fuchsia Juliette Botterill hat. Where once Beatrice was known for her over the top hats, this statement piece was the perfect combination of elegance and zingy colour.

She added her trusty Chanel slingbacks and a new Urban Outfitters 

Wedding Ceremony of Crown Prince Hussein

Princess Beatrice joined other royals for the wedding ceremony of Crown Prince Hussein and Rajwa Al Saif wearing a delicate Needle and Thread pale blue gown. 

The pretty ruffled tiers and embellishment were contrasted with a black ribbon belt and bow in her hair. 

Accessories were her recycled Ralph and Russo pumps and Sophia Webster clutch. 

For the wedding banquet Beatrice amped up the glamour with an exquisite Reem Acra gown. 

The formal show stopping dress which featured bell sleeves and embroidery across the bodice was paired with a Tyle Ellis clutch and topped with the York wedding tiara by Garrard.

Hill House Home UK Launch

Attending a launch party for Hill House Home at The National Gallery in London, Beatrice wore one of the brand’s much-beloved dress styles. 

The Daphne dress was decorated with shells and flowers and was cut in a flattering fifties style silhouette. The royal added some extra structure to the look with her recycled Alice & Olivia jacket and Kurt Geiger pumps.

Oscar’s book prize

Princess Beatrice looked sophisticated in a navy Hill House gown as she gave a speech during the Oscar’s Book Prize winner announcement. 

She layered the stylish midi dress over a Zara shirt with contrasting collar and completed the look with her faithful Kurt Geiger pumps.

Coronation lunch

It was a breezy spring look for the Coronation Big Lunch in May when Beatrice joined a local celebration in Buckinghamshire. 

Sticking to her old faithful McQueen blazer that was first worn in 2012, the royal updated the piece with a Cara Cara floral skirt and Misha Nonoo top.

The look was completed with French Sole pumps embellished with a bumblebee.

 Coronation

Arriving at Westminster Abbey for the King’s Coronation, Princess Beatrice stunned in a vibrant fuchsia frock. 

The Beulah Sienna dress featured dramatic puff sleeves and accentuated her petite waist with a wide belt. 

She  elevated the look with a golden Emily London headband, matching clutch, and her Gianvito Rossi pumps.